Ideas to stay active over the festive period

Ryan Donohue

This week’s column will give you ways to ensure you stay as active as possible over the Christmas period.

At this time of the year, your calendar is often filled with social events, family get-togethers, kids’ pantomime and shopping, so your time is incredibly precious.

That said, there is still time to stay fit and active, and to think about your ‘vision’.

Here are a few ideas of how to do that when you’re against the clock at this time of the year:

1. Missed your training session or gym class? Think about some of the workouts you may have done. You will have an abundance of exercises in your head from all the classes or workouts you’ve done or attended. Use them and put them together into a 20-minute workout you can do at home.

2. We don’t even have to get off the sofa to do our shopping anymore. Hit the high street instead of the internet. Burn calories pounding the streets. It’s more fun and more within the spirit of Christmas.

3. Back to number 1. Keep it high intensity. Put a festive playlist together to keep your spirits up. All together ‘All I want for Christmas is you, ooo, oooh’.

4. Stick to the plan - Avoid diverging from your routine. If you’re an early bird, stick to it. Night owl? Stick to it.

5. Commitment. Regardless of the time of the year, make a commitment to the above point. Keep your fitness going. Remember, prior planning prevents poor performance. You are just as important as Christmas. Then January will be a breeze!

6. Home alone – training alone? Away from the gym? Think quality over quantity. Technique. Form. Posture. All the words you should hear your coach, trainer or instructor relentlessly saying over and over again. Make your workouts count. Wherever you are in the world.

There you go. A few idea’s to stay active and healthy this season. January will then be easy.